TASER advises cops not to aim at suspect's chest

Editor’s Note:

Editor's note: Recognizing the critical importance of TASER's new advisory and accurately understanding what the below news article does and does not say, we have posted a special column that shares comments and insights from leading P1 experts about how this will affect officers. Read Experts discuss TASER's new advisory for more info.

Do you think this training bulletin will affect how you use your TASER? Read the article below — including reaction from less lethal expert Capt. Greg Meyer — and be sure to add your comments to the discussion.

By Robert Angelen Arizona Republic

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The maker of TASER stun guns is advising police officers to avoid shooting suspects in the chest with the 50,000-volt weapon, saying that it could pose an extremely low risk of an "adverse cardiac event."

The advisory, issued in an Oct. 12 training bulletin, is the first time that TASER International has suggested there is any risk of a cardiac arrest related to the discharge of its stun gun.